On September 22, 2026 our beloved Gramma, Edelia Martinez Aparicio, passed away at the age of 86 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s.

Everyone who knew our grandma knows how charismatic and full of energy she was. She was a fighter all her life—from surviving a life-changing accident in 1992 that left her disabled to losing her husband and son at relatively young ages. Her body was accustomed to resilience and enduring pain, both mentally and physically. She was a warrior. She was tough, and everyone who knew her remembers her that way. If she yelled, all the grandkids would snap to attention like soldiers.

When she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, her identity changed. She went from being “la jefa” (the boss) to becoming dependent on her daughter, Mary, who cared for her until the end of her life.

In 2023, we brought her to the United States from Cuba, where she was between life and death, without reliable access to healthcare or the medications she needed. At 83 years old, it was her first time ever on an airplane. She was able to spend the rest of her life in the United States, where she experienced places she had never imagined visiting, including Las Vegas, Denver, and Tampa. She especially loved going shopping and seeing stores fully stocked with everything she could imagine—something that brought her so much joy.

Her favorite foods were croissants, which she called “pancitos ricos,” and dates. Her least favorite was broccoli, which she called “escobitas” (little brooms). She knew exactly what she liked—and what she didn’t!

In 2024, Edelia moved to Tampa with her daughter, Mary, and son-in-law, Pavel, who surrounded her with Cuban nostalgia and foods that Gramma had not tasted since she was a young woman, before the revolution in Cuba. Mary and Pavel spoiled her and made sure she was happy and cared for at all times.

Pavel lovingly called her “Mariposa,” meaning butterfly. He prepared wonderful meals for her that she enjoyed. And if she didn’t like something, she would immediately say, “¿Qué es esto?” or “Esto no hay quien se lo coma.” That was Gramma. Her illness and death have left a tremendous void in our family.

Now, as our mom, Mary, and her partner, Pavel, mourn the loss of someone they loved deeply, they are also facing funeral expenses and rapidly accumulating bills resulting from the loss of income caused by Grandma’s multiple hospitalizations over the past few months and her ongoing medical care. We have created this page to help ease some of the financial burden during this incredibly difficult time.

Our goal is to raise $5,000.

Any amount, no matter how small, will make a difference.

Thank you to everyone who has loved, supported, cared for, and been there for our Gramma and our family. Your kindness means more than we can express.